Chapter 12, Problem 1PI

Summary Introduction

To determine: The hematocrit of an individual having 3 liters plasma volume and 4.5 liters total blood volume.

Introduction: Total blood volume is defined as the amount of fluid that circulates within the capillaries, veins, arteries, and heart chambers at any time.

Explanation of Solution

The erythrocyte volume equals the difference between blood volume and plasma volume. In this case, the value of the erythrocyte volume is 1.5 liters $\left(4.5-3\right)$. Hematocrit can be calculated by the following formula:

$\begin{array}{c}\text{Hematocrit}=\frac{\text{erythrocyte volume}}{\text{total blood volume}}\\ =\frac{1.5}{4.5}\\ =0.33\text{ or 33\%}\end{array}$

Thus, the hematocrit of an individual is 0.33 or 33%.